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We are
delighted to announce the release of our April eNewsletter! A brand new edtition and seasonal resource for you to use
at home with your child.
These newsletters will give you better access to
some of the children’s “foodie” work that we do here at Willow
Cottage..... and you can forward them to friends and relations that
might enjoy them too!
Click for more details |
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Willow Cottage Nurseries, Oxford & Witney are used as a "case study" in “An essential
guide to Vitamin D” for children because of their proactive attitude towards Vitamin D in the diet and
sunshine.
Click for more details |
 | The first of Mr. Willow's Children's Books is now available electronically for iPads and Kindle Fire!
"Carrots Are Very Good For You... Don’t You Know!” is
written specifically for young children and adults to share. It has a
“carroty” poem and is told with beautiful photographs to encourage healthy eating and early year's cookery. Can carrots
really help your child to see in the dark? Can you grow your own
“rainbow” carrots... and just why are the spotty pigs and cheeky rabbits
eating Mr. Willow’s carrots? Click for more details |
 | Title of Leading Aspect Award - Nursery Food Matters – An Embedded Educational Philosophy.
The food education for children, staff and parents is a strand that permeates all aspects of Nursery life and given equal importance as all elements of development and learning.
Click for more details |
 | Look at what's new for our OUTDOOR CLASSROOM provision!
It's Willow Whale (A living Willow den).
Willow Whale will now offer a multitude of play and role-play opportunities; from a leafy play space where children can relax and watch nature with their friends, to an outdoor dining area, rocket, or shady story time cosy corner!
Click for more details |
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5 Stars again for both settings of Willow Cottage Nurseries and a special Elite Business Food Award from the County for our Farmoor setting for their consistent standards of Excellence. Click for more details |
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The books from our Highly Commended Fun Food Family Packs are now available in print from all good on line booksellers such as Blackwells, Waterstones, Smiths, and Amazon etc.
Mr. Willow Children’s Stories & Rhymes are also available via our website
Mr. Willow Children’s Books contain a wealth of early science concepts, sensory activities and other educational suggestions to extend your child’s learning .... all encourage early cookery and provide a healthy recipe to make together. Click for more details |
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Willow Cottage Nurseries, Oxford, finalists in this year's Nursery World Award's were Highly Commended for their delivery of nutritious nursery food and their enthusiastic approach to delivering healthy food education. Click for more details |
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Willow Cottage Nurseries welcomes the new Tickell report set to reduce the unecessary bureaucracy within the Early Years Foundation Stage which forces teachers and nursery practitioners to spend too much time on paperwork.
The report was carried out by Dame Clare Tickell Children's Minister. She told BBC Breakfast that "it is incredibly important to put in high-quality childcare early on for children - it has an enormous impact on their life chances later on."
The review into how the system works has described it as "too bureaucratic" .....
The key proposals outlined today include....... Click for more details |
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Once again the benefits to children of being read to by their parents is being highlighted by the latest research.
"Children are much less likely to develop social and emotional problems in later life if they are read to, according to the latest study from Essex University. Professor Yvonne Kelly, who led the study explains the findings." 2011 06 13 Click for more details |
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Mr. Willow's Nursery Food Matters Campaign continues with his new initiatives to educate young children in healthy food matters and so to help fight chidhood obesity and its related diseases. On 4th June a consultation meeting was held with staff and parents at Willow Cottage Nurseries Oxford as to how best to develop his new Family Fun Food Packs! Click for more details |
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The latest government review recommends that nurseries and childminders should follow practical guidance on what children under five should eat and drink in early years settings.
Click <here> for the full report.
Childminders, Nurseries, Parents and Childcarers - Transform your food provision instantly, economically and practically - go to <nurseryfoodmatters.com>
Left - A typical healthy main course at Willow Cottage Nursery - Traditionally farmed chicken and vegetable curry with rice and a selection of fresh vegetables to the side. Fresh Chapatis made by the children earlier that day as part of their fun food education. Click for more details |
 | Eating chips, chocolate and cake may be damaging to a child's intelligence, according to researchers at Bristol University. Bristol University study suggests a link between a diet high in processed foods and a slightly lower IQ. Click for more details |
 | As part of our Language, Literacy and I.C.T. provision for children attending Willow Cottage and their family, we are compiling our own very special video library of children’s stories, rhymes and poetry.
The stories, rhymes and poems selected have been personalised and recorded by our own nursery practitioners to provide interaction, familiarity and therefore extra enjoyment for the children. Children can now listen to, join in with, and enjoy these stories, rhymes and poems both at nursery and with their family at home. Please note that this should be an activity led and overseen at all times by an adult member of the family.
01/02/2011
Why are children's stories rhymes and poems so important? Click for more details |
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We are all aware now that a healthy diet in the early years influences a child's growth and development and their educational attainment. (More information on the research findings is available on our website) We also know that it is vital that a child's diet contains good quality fats (dairy, oily fish etc) since these foods contain the important "fat soluble" vitamins (A,D,E, & K). These vitamins especially Vitamin D are really important for a child's bone and teeth development. Some of the body's need for Vitamin D can be met by sufficient sunshine since it is made by the sun's action on the skin. Lack of outdoor play and too much of a high factor suncream are taking its toll. Why? ......read on <here>
18/01/2011
Click for more details |
 | Julie DeBanks who has worked at Willow Cottage for over 20 years has been HIGHLY COMMENDED in this years finalists for The Nursery World Awards 2010. Her award comes for her committment and dedication to raising the standards for the chlldren and the staff she serves. CONGRATULATIONS! Click for more details |
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Willow Cottage Nurseries were named finalists in the 2010 Nursery Food Awards. The Food Quality Team Marion Brodeur, Valerie Grady, Chris Trottman.... and last but not least Mr. Willow! (The Bear Chef).
Click for more details |
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CONGRATULATIONS to Ben Taylor from our Eynsham setting was named finalist in the category "Newcomer of the Year" in the 2010 Nursery World Awards. The awards were held at the Lancaster Hotel in Lancaster Gate, London. Click for more details |
 | Just a small part of Willow Cottage Nurseries, Oxford - successful team. These very special and highly valued members of the Willow Cottage Nurseries Team have over 120 years of service between them! WOW! Click for more details |
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